Do Cavaliers need special grooming?

The first step involved in dog grooming is: Brushing!

Brushing has been universally acknowledged by expert dog groomers as thesingle most important step in grooming.​The benefits of brushing are many. To name a few:Better blood circulationShinier and healthier coatBetter bonding

Dog grooming plays an important part in a dog’s healthy life. There are many professional dog groomers who will be happy to bath and pamper your precious four legged friend.

​On a personal note though, if you, the owner, have the time and inclination to bath your little mate you will find it a happy and rewarding time together.

Trained from puppyhood, your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel will enjoy this special time with you and appreciate his clean feeling.

Of course, a good roll around in the garden or on the lawn after his bath will add – in his opinion ​– a sweet aroma to his demeanour.

Start grooming Cavalier Spaniel puppies earlyso they become accustomed to it, but don't get frustrated if they won't sit still for too long. In the beginning their coats are fairly short anyway. Just work at getting them used to the concept. (And rewarding them with a treat after grooming sessions will help the process along.!)

Cavaliers generally don't need bathing veryoften and how often I find depends on the timeof the year.

We normally bathe our Cavaliers every​6 weeks or so.

I recommend doing what I call the sniff test.The sniff test is just what it sounds like, sniff yourpuppy and if you find they are stinky, bathe them.

If your puppy gets dirty from a walk or playing outside you can also bathe them.

Make sure that you groom your Cavalier wellbefore bathing, because tangles and ​mats arealmost impossible to remove once wet.

Our very first Cavalier we had him professionally clipped when he was older and we found that his coat grew in thicker making it necessary to have him clipped again after the fur grew out a bit.

We do not have any of our Cavalier's coat's professionally clipped after our experience with our first Cavalier. I know some owners of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do clip their dogs, particularly in the summertime. There's nothing wrong with that if you have a companion pet, rather than a show dog.

The silky coat of the Cavalier is easy to keep cleanand shiny using a firm-bristled brush and wide-toothed comb several times a week to keep tangles away.

The firm bristled brush is great for the daily brushout as long as there are no mats. If mats are present, use the slicker brush or side of the steel comb,combing gently.

To be thoroughly complete, the grooming tool box of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel owner should includea slicker brush, a straight comb, a soft brush, a pin brush and a shedding tool such as as a "Furr-minator".

Even though the list above seems like a lot of equipment, it will pay for itself within the first year​if you choose not to get your dog groomed professionally.

Nail Clipping

Nails need to be clipped about once per month. If the dog’s nails are black, its impossible to determine where the blood vessel or quick ends, so keep styptic powder on hand to help with clotting should you accidentally cut too close. To keep from hurting the dog, clip just a little and view the inside of the freshly cut nail. If you do not see what appears to be the start of a blood vessel, you can clip​just a little more. If you see the quick, stop, you’re done.

Again, get your puppy accustomed to having his nails clipped early in life.

Lift one paw, and "pretend" to clip his nails. In the first few months, you're only trying to teach yourCavalier puppy to allow you to hold his paw quietly. Later, when his nails actually do need clipping,you can buy nail clippers at your local pet store that do a good job. We recommend clippers such ​as the ones pictured to the right.

If your pet's jumpy, then ask a friend to help hold him while you clip his nails. Clip only thewhite part; don't get too close to "the quick" where you might knick a blood vessel. ​And don't forget his dew claws!

Ear Cleaning

​Cavaliers have long, floppy ears and tend toget more dirt and debris in their ears than othershort-ear breeds.

It's a good idea to make ear cleaning part ofyour grooming ritual. A good quality ear cleaner preferably one prescribed by your veterinarian is used weekly to clean the ears. Place a few drops in the ear, massage, and then clean out with the cotton balls.

Never use a q-tip or force anythingtoo deep in your pet's ears.

To remove tears around the eyes I use a foldedpiece of paper towel and gently wipe both eyes.

Dental Hygiene

​​ Dental Hygiene - Consult your Vet as your dog gets older about professional dental cleanings. But there is a lot you can do at home too.

You can also teach your dog to allow you to brush his teeth. Begin with teaching your puppy just to open his mouth. Say the command “OPEN” and gently open his mouth for a second. Over time, teach him to let you open his mouth for longer periods of time. Next, rub your index finger aroundhis teeth to get him used to the idea of having his teeth brushed. You can put a little peanut butter on your finger so he’ll like the idea even better!

Finally, buy a pet toothbrush and flavored toothpaste from your Vet or at your local pet store. ​

To begin brushing, use the following 4-step training process. It may take a couple weeks tocomplete, but it will help your dog view brushing as a positive activity.

You will need dog toothpaste that has a flavor appealing to your dog. Do not use human toothpaste, ​as it can upset your pet's stomach. You'll also need a dog toothbrush and ​small but special treat rewards.

Step OneStart training by placing a little dog toothpaste on your finger and let your dog lick the paste from your hand. Do this step several days in a row, and follow it with a treat reward and lots of praise.

Step TwoPlace a little of the paste on your pet's large canine teeth in front. This gets your dog used to having something placed against his teeth and gums.

Do this step for several days, and again, follow​it with a reward and praise.

Step ThreeNow introduce the toothbrush you will use for regular brushing. Place some dog toothpaste on it and allow your pet to lick it from the brush. It will get your pet used to the texture - and of having the brush near his teeth and gums.

Praise and reward your dog, and repeat this ​step for several days.

Step FourIn the final phase, you will actually brush your dog's teeth. Gently hold back your pet's lips and hold the brush at a 45 degree angle to the gumline. Brush the outside of each tooth, moving the brush gently back and forth. Talk to your dog in a soothing voice and always follow brushing sessions with a treat. Brush just a few teeth the first time, and gradually lengthen the session each time until you're brushing all the teeth.

When finished, be sure to reward him with lots of petting and praise. The rewards and praise will help him associate brushing as a positive, rewarding experience.Ideally, you'll brush your pet's teeth every day - but at least a few times per week.